[Info-vax] Should VSI commission the production of DEC layout keyboards ?

[chris]

On 07/21/22 13:19, Simon Clubley wrote:
> While reading the list of what people are likely to ask for next in VMS,
> I realised that some people missed the real DEC keyboards.
>
> So, should VSI commission the production of a DEC layout keyboard with,
> say, a USB interface ?
>
> How many of you would be interested in that and how much would you pay ?
>
> For me, I've no interest in moving from a full PC keyboard as that _is_
> my "DEC" keyboard, and has been for a long time, but I thought I would
> ask the question anyway.
>
> Simon.
>

Dec did a lot of research on ergonomics during the design phase of
early keyboards such as the LK201. They do have just the right
ergonomic feel and key layout for programming work, edt usage etc.
PC keyboards of the time could be pretty clunky and the overcenter
spring types from IBM may have seemed like a good idea, but a real
pain over all day periods of use. Only disadvantage of the LK201 was
the physical size, but not such an issue in the days of less
cluttered desktops. Later dec keyboards aare cheap, chearful and
pretty, tacky, with a few exceptions. Used and LK250 j=here for
years, but not compact.

Finally settled on Sun usb keyboards here, very similar look and feel
to some of the Apple types, but excellent feel and no rsi issues...

Chris